Algoma University joins Ontario University Athletics

The Sault Ste. Marie post-secondary institution gained independence four years ago and has been competing at the Ontario College of Athletics Association level in varsity sports since 2001.

But on Thursday it was announced Algoma U would join Ontario University Athletics in 2013, which is the top level of competition in the province and the nation.

Algoma U students will suit up in a variety of sports against some of the biggest universities in the Ontario.

"It's very exciting for me as a coach, for our players and our school and our past players who have played at Algoma, to finally get to this stage," said Thomas Cory, head coach of the Thunderbirds men's basketball team.

OUA offers the highest level of amateur sport in Canada, Cory says.

"For me it's a dream where you get to compete against the top programs and the top players. That's what I think every athlete wants to do," he said.

"Now the work kind of begins. We're going to be going up against some of the best teams and the highest calibre teams in the country," Cory said.

Algoma U has been accepted by the OUA to begin competition in the 2013-14 school year.

Athletics director Mark Kontulainen says part of the criteria schools must meet to be accepted into the OUA requires them to offer at least six sports and gender equity, which means a school must field 12 teams.

The decision to add six more teams - cross-country running, Nordic skiing and wrestling - came about after much deliberations, Kontulainen said.

A task force that included alumni, student government members, faculty, management and members from the community compiled the application document that went to the OUA.

The group considered feasibility studies and surveys that highlighted a variety of new sports Algoma University might offer before whittling down its options to the three that were eventually chosen.

Kontulainen says the task force's decision was based on several factors, including the quality of local coaches for a sport, the strength of local clubs, facilities and finances.

He was "a bit surprised" wrestling was one of the sports selected.

"The local wrestling club and the instructors, and the level that the local people have achieved in wrestling has been amazing. So that's why that was our sixth sport," he said.

Despite the city having four levels of football (Sault Minor, high school, Sault Sabercats and Sault Steelers), the committee decided against fielding a football program at Algoma because of the costs associated with the sport.

It was the same for hockey, Kontulainen said.

"The price tag on hockey and football for initial offering (was too high), that's why they didn't get in the top six."

Offering students the chance to compete at the highest level could persuade local students to remain in the city to attend Algoma University, Kontulainen said.

"Absolutely . If we can offer OUA opportunities here, rather than (students) going away .. I think, for sure, these things are going to be an option."

Coach Cory agreed.

"In the past we've had some players who wanted to play against some of the best players in the country . And they had to leave Sault Ste. Marie, not just in basketball, but in the other sports we'll now be offering," Cory said.

"So now it's an avenue for them."

Although OUA competition will not commence until the fall of 2013, Algoma University has already hired coaches for the new sports. They will begin recruiting efforts and try to get athletes into venues, such as tournaments.